Comcast and Spectrum join in on the satellite messaging wave

Comcast and Charter’s mobile services now offer access to satellite-based emergency messaging. The launch comes just one day after their network provider, Verizon, rolled out satellite messaging for Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 devices. Just like with Verizon, customers on Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile and Charter’s Spectrum Mobile will need a Galaxy S25 or Google Pixel 9 to access the feature, which is powered by the non-terrestrial network service provider Skylo. This is the same company that worked with Google to launch the Pixel 9’s Satellite SOS feature. For now, Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile will only let Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 owners send emergency messages without Wi-Fi or cellular data, but both companies plan on letting them send and receive SMS text messages over satellite “in the coming weeks.” Comcast and Charter join the growing list of companies offering some sort of satellite connectivity, which is separate from the built-in satellite services on the Pixel 9 and the iPhone 14 and later. Along with Verizon, T-Mobile has partnered with Starlink to launch a direct-to-cell satellite messaging service, while AT&T is working to enable satellite capabilities with AST SpaceMobile. Disclosure: Comcast is also an investor in Vox Media, The Verge’s parent company.